Texas Instruments TPS61166EVM-446

Overview

TPS61166EVM-446 from Texas Instruments is an evaluation board designed to characterize the TPS61166 white LED driver IC in boost-converter-based backlight applications. It supports up to 5-series WLED strings, operates with input voltage ranges of 2.5–6 V (JP4 installed) or 4.5–10 V (JP4 removed), delivers 29–31 mA LED current, and enables PWM dimming from 60 Hz to 40 kHz.

For engineers reviewing the TPS61166EVM-446 datasheet, TPS61166EVM-446 test setup, TPS61166EVM-446 schematic, or TPS61166EVM-446 connector pinout, this EVM provides validated electrical performance, accessible test points (TP1, TP2), configurable jumpers (JP1–JP3), and a documented 2-layer PCB layout optimized for stability and measurement integrity.

Technical Context

The TPS61166EVM-446 implements the TPS61166 IC - a 20-V, 1.1-A integrated switch boost converter with high-side LED current switching (<1 µs response), internal power diode, and VIN/VBAT separation for flexible battery configurations. It uses a fixed-frequency 1.0–1.4 MHz switching topology with internal compensation and OVP/OLP/thermal shutdown protection.

Board-level design includes 0603-footprint components for user modification, Kelvin-sense headers (J2), isolated LED output (J4/J5), and configurable enable/PWM interfaces (JP1/JP2). The EVM ships with JP4 shunted to tie VBAT = VIN, and supports off-board LED string connection when JP4 is removed and JP3 is opened.

Key Specifications

Availability

TPS61166EVM-446 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LCD backlight evaluation, mobile phone display prototyping, and digital camera WLED driver validation requiring stable component supply and documented reference performance.

Supply support for TPS61166EVM-446 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, delivering analog and embedded processing solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications since 1930.

The TPS61166EVM-446 belongs to TI's Power Management Evaluation Modules portfolio, engineered specifically to accelerate development of high-efficiency, low-noise WLED backlight systems using the TPS61166 boost driver IC.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the TPS61166EVM-446?

The TPS61166EVM-446 is an evaluation board built to validate the electrical performance and application behavior of the TPS61166 white LED driver IC. It provides accessible test points, configurable jumpers (JP1–JP4), and a documented 2-layer PCB layout to support lab-based characterization of boost-converter-based backlight circuits under real-world conditions including PWM dimming, load transients, and overvoltage protection activation.

How do I configure the TPS61166EVM-446 for a 4.5–10 V input supply?

To use the TPS61166EVM-446 with a 4.5–10 V input, remove the shunt from JP4 to decouple VBAT from VIN. Then apply 1.2–6 V to the middle pin of JP1 (EN) to enable the device - either via an external voltage source or by installing a 590 kΩ resistor at R3 to form a voltage divider from VBAT. With JP4 removed, J1 supplies VBAT only, and JP1 must be actively driven to avoid disabling the IC via its internal pull-down.

Can the TPS61166EVM-446 drive off-board LED strings?

Yes - the TPS61166EVM-446 supports off-board LED strings via J4 (OUT/LED+) and J5 (FB/LED−). To connect external LEDs, remove the shunt from JP3 (which isolates the onboard D1–D4 LEDs), and ensure JP4 is removed to prevent VIN overvoltage. The feedback loop remains closed through J5, maintaining regulated LED current based on the 200-mV FB threshold and R1 value.

What are the key test points on the TPS61166EVM-446 and their purposes?

TP1 connects directly to the TPS61166's VO pin - enabling observation of the un-dimmed boost output voltage and verification of OVP clamping behavior when LEDs are disconnected. TP2 is placed across R2 (replaceable with 49.9–100 Ω) to interface with gain-phase analyzers like Venable® for control-loop stability analysis, supporting frequency-domain validation of the internally compensated boost regulator.

Does the TPS61166EVM-446 comply with CE, FCC, or RoHS directives?

No - the TPS61166EVM-446 is explicitly designated for engineering development, demonstration, or evaluation only and falls outside the scope of EU EMC, RoHS, WEEE, FCC, CE, and UL directives. It lacks end-product-level shielding, filtering, safety isolation, or conformity documentation. Users must integrate final designs into compliant host systems and perform full regulatory testing independently.